Toto Wolff Pinpoints Three Key Factors Behind Hamilton’s Ferrari Struggles
Lewis Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari has proven more challenging than expected, with the seven-time World Champion currently sitting sixth in the standings—119 points behind leader Oscar Piastri after ten races. According to his former Mercedes boss, Toto Wolff, Hamilton’s slow start can be traced to three main factors: driving style, environment, and nationality.
Wolff suggested that Hamilton is still adapting to Ferrari’s fundamentally different car dynamics. Having spent his entire F1 career with British teams—first McLaren, then Mercedes—the move to the iconic Italian outfit has placed Hamilton in unfamiliar territory. “He’s still finding his feet,” Wolff commented, adding that the change in team culture and operational style may be affecting the 39-year-old’s comfort and confidence behind the wheel.
The transition hasn’t just been technical but also psychological. Wolff believes that Hamilton, known for thriving in environments where he feels deeply connected, might still be trying to rediscover his “mojo” in Maranello’s very different setting.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur also acknowledged that the team’s struggles aren’t purely down to hardware. “We will have an upgrade soon, before the UK, and perhaps another one later,” he said. “But honestly, there’s more to be gained right now from better execution and understanding the car than from raw performance improvements.”
As Ferrari eyes upcoming upgrades, the focus remains on unlocking Hamilton’s full potential in red. Until then, bridging the gap to the front-runners will depend on more than just speed—it will require adaptation, trust, and rediscovery of the spark that once made him untouchable.
